US trade unions to visit China

James P. Hoffa

While the visit still has to start, we can already hear the fanfare around the corner. A group of seven US trade unions, working in a coalition "Change to Win" will visit Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing very soon on a fact finding mission, they write in a press release.

Change to Win unions share common employers with millions of Chinese workers throughout the service, transportation and industrial sectors. The delegation will explore the corporate practices and working conditions within large multinationals, including major U.S.-based employers who currently operate without enforceable fair trade laws: [A] poll also found nearly 80 percent of American workers believe multinational corporations are too powerful, and have driven down wages, eliminated health care and retirement security, and disregarded labor laws.

Key member of the delegation will be James P. Hoffa, president of the erstwhile powerful Teamsters. US trade unions share, let say, a colorful history with their country, but have been losing their powerbase as membership dropped under ten percent of the working population.
The US trade union movement split in two, also in their China policies. One part adopting a pro-China view, the other - now visiting unions - a fierce anti-China position. But this group now also wants to come to terms with China's position in the fast globalizing economy.
The visit will take place of the next two weeks and we will hear more about it.

Update: The delegation will hold press conferences the the Grand Hyatt in Hong (May 17) and Shanghai (May 18), and the St-Regis in Beijing (May 21). Strange: they start the visit with a press conference. I would first find some facts and then call in the media.